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Nov 17, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 18, 2012 at 11:59 AM

An Ohio company has developed a generator that's powered by the pressure of natural gas coming from a well, rather than by burning the gas itself. Geotricity, based in Mentor, is testing the device, which works much as a hydroelectric generator does. It says each unit could provide "green" electricity for as many as three homes.

Gay voters gave Obama key support

Backing from gay voters was important in Barack Obama’s re-election. The president and Mitt Romney had roughly equal support from straight voters, exit polls showed. But about three-quarters of those who identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual voted for Obama.

Gas well’s pressure runs new generator

An Ohio company has developed a generator that’s powered by the pressure of natural gas coming from a well, rather than by burning the gas itself. Geotricity, based in Mentor, is testing the device, which works much as a hydroelectric generator does. It says each unit could provide “green” electricity for as many as three homes.

Latin America sees upsurge in prosperity

The middle class in Latin America and the Caribbean grew by 50 percent over the past decade. Better education, more women and urban dwellers entering the work force and smaller families were among the factors, says a World Bank report.

Terrorists might cause blackouts

The U.S. electrical grid is vulnerable to terrorist attacks, including cyber strikes, that could cause far more damage than done by natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, according to a report by the National Research Council.

San Francisco nudists bare a grievance

Activists showed up naked at San Francisco’s federal courthouse to file a lawsuit against a proposed city law making public nudity illegal. Public nudity is a growing trend in San Francisco, which seeks to prohibit the exposure of backsides and genitals (but not breasts) on public transit, streets and sidewalks.